CSIR-NIScPR Celebrates National Science Day 2024 with Focus on Health Communication and Indigenous Technology Integration

New Delhi:  The CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR) marked the celebration of National Science Day 2024 with an insightful lecture and a brainstorming session in New Delhi today. The event aimed to highlight the importance of health communication, indigenous knowledge, and technology in advancing scientific progress in India.

The chief guest for the occasion was Dr. Shiv Kumar Sharma, National Organising Secretary of VIBHA, and the keynote address was delivered by Dr. Rajni Kant, Former and Founder Director of ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Gorakhpur.

Prof. Ranjana Aggarwal, Director of CSIR-NIScPR, welcomed the attendees and emphasized the significance of harnessing indigenous knowledge and technology for scientific advancement in India. She also underscored the importance of health communication, particularly in managing diseases like during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Sharma spoke passionately about the crucial role of indigenous technology in Indian society and emphasized the need to identify, acknowledge, and integrate indigenous knowledge into current scientific practices. The integration of such knowledge, he argued, is vital for addressing contemporary challenges and fostering innovation.

The keynote address by Dr. Rajni Kant delved into the theme of “Understanding Health Communication and its Role in Disease Management.” He explored various facets of health communication, addressing its importance, challenges, and the use of emerging platforms, such as social media, to disseminate health-related information. Dr. Kant stressed the need for using indigenous technologies, especially evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, where they played a pivotal role in developing vaccines and protective kits.

Following the lecture, a brainstorming session titled “Use of Social Media in Health Communication” brought together experts from various Indian organizations. Dr. Rajni Kant, Dr. Padma Rani, Dr. Nancepreet Kaur, Ms. Sophia Lonappan, Mr. Kaushik Bose, Dr. Gita Bamezai, Dr. Y. Madhavi, Dr. Sujit Bhattacharya, Dr. Suman Ray, Dr. Charu Lata, and Dr. Paramananda Barman participated in the discussion.

The session covered a wide range of topics, including the importance of social media in health communication, challenges faced, combating misinformation, and promoting digital health literacy. Experts emphasized the need for collaboration among stakeholders, including government organizations, scientists, healthcare workers, policymakers, and science communicators, to create awareness at the grassroots level and address health-related challenges effectively.

Dr. Paramananda Barman, the coordinator of the session, delivered the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to the participants and highlighting the importance of ongoing discussions in shaping the future of health communication in India.

The event concluded with a renewed commitment to fostering a collaborative approach to health communication, leveraging indigenous knowledge and technology to address current and future health challenges in the nation.